Adelaide baby basher-accused has ‘financial hardship’ claim rejected as prosecutors tell court he has millions

He claimed his family was suffering “financial hardship” while in custody – prosecutors have told a court this alleged baby basher has a war chest of millions.

Adelaide baby basher-accused has ‘financial hardship’ claim rejected. Picture: 7NEWS

A father accused of bashing his infant daughter claimed his family had been suffering “financial hardship” during his time in custody on remand – but prosecutors have dismissed his cry for help, telling a court he possesses a multimillion-dollar collection of assets.

The man, whose identity is suppressed, appeared in the Supreme Court on Friday in front of Justice Sandi McDonald for an ongoing home detention bail application.

He is yet to enter any pleas to one count of criminal neglect following his baby’s cerebral palsy diagnosis after she allegedly suffered shocking injuries at the hands of her father – the accused – “consistent with being thrown into a wall”.

During a hearing in the Supreme Court last week, James Marcus, for the accused, told the court his client’s family was suffering financially while he was in custody and asked him to be bailed to live with his brother.

The man being escorted after he was taken into custody. Picture: 7NEWS

However, prosecutors opposed all forms of bail and on Friday alleged the man had a number of financial assets totalling in excess of $3m.

“In November last year, police obtained financial information from (the defendant’s wife) in relation to a separate insurance claim,” prosecution said. “Those documents outline, in my respectful submission, significant financial assets which include two residential properties, three vehicles and $900,000 in cash and other assets.

“The residence where the defendant was arrested at has a market value of $1.3m. A further property has a market value of $800,000.”

The court heard he owned multiple cars, while “cash assets is listed as $800,000 with ANZ bank and a further $100,000 in contents assets”.

He has asked to be released on home detention bail, claiming his family is suffering financially during his time in custody on remand. Picture: 7NEWS

It’s alleged the man was looking after his three-month-old baby on October 13 when he dropped her from a height of 1.3m.

The court heard the baby made a “choking, gurgling” sound, cried for about 15 minutes and appeared very pale and dizzy.

After the man’s wife returned home a few hours later, she noticed the baby was having difficulty focusing her eyes and called an ambulance.

The baby remained in hospital for six weeks after sustaining a number of injuries, including a skull fracture, spinal fractures, retinal damage and brain bleeding.

The court heard the baby has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, has developmental delays and is now recommended for visual disability support.

A doctor’s report concluded the baby’s skull fracture could be accounted for by the 1.3m fall but the balance of the injuries could not be.

The injuries were “more consistent with high impact – such as being thrown into a wall – rather than being dropped in a straight line”, prosecution alleged at his first appearance.

The court heard the man was allegedly found hiding in a cupboard at his family home when he was arrested on December 19.

The matter was adjourned and the man will appear in court again next week.

Originally published as Adelaide baby basher-accused has ‘financial hardship’ claim rejected as prosecutors tell court he has millions